Psychology Department at East Carolina University

🏥 🎗 APOS 2026 Student Poster Presentation

Clinical Health Psychology PhD student Lane Williamson presented at the American Psychosocial Oncology Society annual conference! She presented a poster, entitled “Stakeholder Perspectives on Using an Implementation Science Framework to Guide Introduction of the Standards of Psychosocial Care of Children with Cancer and their Families into Practice.”

This work examined how an implementation science framework supported a pediatric psychosocial oncology team in identifying care gaps and developing a plan to introduce an evidence-based psychosocial standard. The findings highlight both the promise and challenges of implementing these standards of care into clinical settings.

oncology.research.team

ECU Thomas Harriot College of Arts & Sciences

We are proud to celebrate three faculty members from the Department of Psychology who were recognized in the 2026 Research.com Best Psychology Scientists Ranking , a global evaluation of leading scholars in the field based on discipline-specific citation impact and research contributions.

👏 Congratulations to:
🔹 Samuel F. Sears
D-Index: 57
Ranked #3,746 globally | #2,049 nationally
🔹 Alan J. Christensen
D-Index: 53
Ranked #4,520 globally | #2,428 nationally
🔹 Robert A. Carels
D-Index: 38
Ranked #8,310 globally | #4,300 nationally

The Research.com rankings are based on rigorous bibliometric analysis using data from OpenAlex, CrossRef, and other leading research databases. Rankings reflect a scholar’s impact and productivity within the field of Psychology through the D-index, a discipline-specific citation metric.

We congratulate our faculty on this outstanding international recognition and their continued contributions to advancing psychological science and scholarship.

For 15 years, the ECU Psychology Clinic has provided compassionate, evidence-based care while training the next generation of psychologists. This spring, the clinic opened its new community-accessible location in downtown Greenville, expanding services, increasing treatment space, and improving access for patients and families.

Highlights:
✔️ New location with easier parking and accessibility
✔️ Expanded therapy and assessment services
✔️ Sliding-scale fees to improve access to care
✔️ Hands-on training for future psychologists

“We’d love to welcome you to our new space.” — Dr. Kendahl Shortway

📍 200 E. 1st St., Greenville
📞 252-737-4180

Read more: https://news.ecu.edu/2026/05/27/mental-health-is-healthcare-new-psychology-clinic-location-improves-access/

The Department of Psychology celebrates graduating doctoral student Dr. Matthew Nobles!

Matthew Nobles is graduating with a Ph.D. in Health Psychology with a concentration in Occupational Health Psychology. He is from Tabor City, NC and will be a three time ECU Alumni. As a student, under the guidance of his mentor, Dr. Courtney L. Baker, he completed his dissertation titled, "Was That Meant to be Personal? The Effects of Age Metastereotypes on Workability and Job Search Self-Efficacy", which is an examination of the intrapersonal effects of age metastereotypes on employees’ perceived ability to fulfill their current job demands (i.e., workability) and their perceived capability in searching for a new job (i.e., job search self-efficacy). He hopes to achieve his dream of becoming a professor or psychology instructor. Dr. Nobles says that he is thankful not just for the experience gained but the friends made along the way!

Congratulations, Dr. Nobles!

The Department of Psychology celebrates graduating Master's degree student Maci Reel!

Maci L. Reel is graduating with a Master's degree in Psychology with a concentration in School Psychology. She is from Greenville, NC. During graduate school, Maci completed a directed research project focused on using a peer-mediated intervention to improve social skills in children. She is currently completing her internship with Pitt County Schools and will return next year as a full-time school psychologist.

Attending ECU for both her undergraduate and graduate studies provided Maci with countless opportunities for growth and learning, while also bringing her some of her closest friendships and lasting memories.

Congratulations, Maci!

The Department of Psychology celebrates graduating Master's degree student Jordan Loflin!

Jordan Loflin is graduating with a Master of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in School Psychology and a Specialist Degree in School Psychology. She is from Salisbury, North Carolina. She completed a directed research project during graduate school on the impact of a repeated reading intervention on oral reading fluency. Jordan is currently completing her internship at Kannapolis City School District in North Carolina and has plans to remain there for the next school year. She aims to become a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and a Licensed Psychological Associate.

Throughout her time at ECU, she had valuable experiences within her program, guidance from professors, and a supportive cohort with whom she shared her experiences. Her time at ECU gave her the knowledge, confidence, and community to move forward with purpose in her career.

Congratulations, Jordan!

The Department of Psychology celebrates graduating Master's degree student Anna Grace Sutton!

Anna Grace Sutton is graduating with a Master's degree in Psychology with a concentration in School Psychology. She is a native of Newton Grove, NC. Her thesis, Exploring the Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation among College Students, examined how early adversity relates to both overall and specific difficulties in emotion regulation among undergraduate students. She completed this work under the mentorship of Dr. Jeannie Golden and is currently finishing her internship with Pitt County Schools.

Reflecting on her time at ECU, Anna shares, “ECU pushed me to grow in ways I never expected, and I am so grateful for the experiences and relationships that will stay with me long after graduation.”

Congratulations, Anna!

The Department of Psychology celebrates graduating Master's degree student Nya Reed!

Nya Reed is graduating with a Master of Arts degree in Psychology with a concentration in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. While at ECU, she also earned graduate certificates in Leadership in Organizations and Quantitative Methods for Social and Behavioral Sciences. She is from Greensboro, NC. Over the summer, Nya completed an internship with NetApp in a Talent Management role. On campus, she has served as a graduate assistant for Career Services. Nya completed her master's thesis, "Following Orders, Forsaking Ethics: Abusive Supervision, Blind Obedience, Malicious Compliance, and Moral Disengagement," under the mentorship of Dr. Mark Bowler. In the fall, Nya will be returning to ECU to begin her PhD in Occupational Health Psychology and contribute to research under the Gambling Research and Policy Initiative (GRPI).

Congratulations, Nya!

The Department of Psychology celebrates graduating Master's degree student Jocelyn Seabrook!

Jocelyn Seabrook is graduating with a Master's degree in Psychology with a concentration in School Psychology and a specialist degree in school psychology. She is from Wilmington, NC. As a student, Jocelyn completed her internship working as a school psychologist intern at Edgecombe County Schools. She also supported school psychology practice by serving as a co-chair and treasurer for Student Affiliates in School Psychology. Jocelyn received the Endrikat Scholarship Award during her time in the program. She worked with Dr. Lana Music and Dr. Christy Walcott during her graduate training. She will continue to work in Edgecombe County Schools as a first-year school psychologist.

Jocelyn shares that her time at ECU has always been great, with consistent support from faculty in providing professional growth opportunities and high-quality learning experiences.

Congratulations, Jocelyn!